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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0123.007 2022-2024 / counC"I ee 1,.. ° (J)MK1°2 I would like to participate in written and oral testimony to support of Resolution 61-23. Aloha, W4 mmry ZZ My name is Renee Rivera and I live on Hawaii Island. I am testifying in support of Resolution 61-23, which awards county funding to nonprofit organizations for programs addressing housing and homelessness, including Hope Services. This is my personal story of my encounter with Hope Services. 00 Before I encountered Hope Services, I was a homeless, mentally disturbed, and uneducated young adult woman with 15 years suffering from Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Substance Abuse. Hope Services gave me a place where I could call my home and take care of myself and my son. At the organization, I participated in the case management program and gained case management experience thus providing resources for a head start program for my son as I went to classes to get my General Educational Development Test(GED). Hope Services' case management experience allowed me to be comfortable in seeking mental health services. I, therefore, decided to seek mental health care through my primary care physician at Bay Clinics where I was prescribed medications as well as therapy. Today, I am sober, healthy, and educated, and expecting to graduate on May 13, 2023, with a Master's Degree in social work from UH Manoa Distance Education Program. Also, currently, I am a Director of a Non-Profit organization that provides mentorship for women in our rural community of Hilo and Puna. This was an effort to give back to society and assist other women like me to realize that there is hope even in the midst of despair. With my experiences, I know and understand how hard it is to struggle financially while living with mental health issues. Through the Non-Profit organization, we have managed to reach and rehabilitate many women at the peak of losing hope in life. My story is proof that Hope Services has continued to change the lives and livelihoods of people, especially women in the Hawaii Island society. Without Hope Services, I would not be speaking confidently to you today. Our community needs more of what Hope Services offers to help people avoid and overcome homelessness. From my personal experience in order to help people avoid and overcome homelessness, I strongly believe that we need more mental health services. Providing them with a home is not enough since they have to be mentally stable to maintain their stay in the care home. This is also a double strategy that can be effective in helping people stay off the streets and also live in care homes on Hawaii Island and other parts of the country as well. Currently I have many friends and clients who struggle with homelessness and mental health issues that cause them to self-medicate and engage in substance abuse in order to survive on the streets. I have been engaging with some of thein for over 2 years now. Carrara. No.AT Ref.Tod p � � Ref. to-. MAR 2 2 2023 The role of leaders in addressing the cases of mental health and homelessness is pertinent. One of the areas that I would request our leaders to help is in increasing the number of mental health services. While providing homes is fundamental,the stability of the mind may be more important as it allows affected individuals to survive in any environment they reside in. As such, it will not only stabilize the mind of those struggling with mental health issues but also reduce the demand for care homes as well as the costs associated with providing relevant health care. Our leaders can therefore help by enacting policies that will guarantee the provision of adequate mental healthcare services through the allocation of budgets for employing professional healthcare workers as well as providing the necessary infrastructure. Today, I can proudly say I am a product of Hope Services. I owe my life to the organization. If it was not for the staff and leadership from Hope Services, maybe, my son and I would still be on the streets or dead because of drug abuse, diseases, or starvation. I am really proud to support Hope Services, and I thank them for the immense help and mentorship that made me who I am today. Thank you so much Hope Services!